Author | Lightnews

Betfred says all its shops may close if Reeves hikes gambling tax

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 3d

Time to form a worker-coop agency. Stop the leakage of money to outside investors and control the price
No more rip-offs
@unioncoops-uk.bsky.social happy to advise on how to do it

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 3d

Fantastic opportunity to get these parasites off our high street
Go for it #RachelFromAccounts !
Betfred says all its shops may close if Reeves hikes gambling tax www.bbc.com/news/article...

The company's co-founder says it would be forced to close all its sites, putting 7,500 jobs at risk, if gambling taxes go up.

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 4d

They’ve got a wheelchair, a pittance of an allowance, and the wrath of Saint Rachel.
What do they want? Dignity, respect, decency, opportunity, equality!?
She’s got to look after the rich, so someone’s got to pay.

Prince Andrew gives up royal titles including Duke of York after 'discussion with King'

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 4d

I’m relieved to know that Prince Paedo is still officially Prince Paedo.
They can’t take that away from him.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...

In a statement, the prince says:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fixing-the...

Reposted by Alex Bird

union-coops:uk @unioncoops-uk.bsky.social · 6d

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 10d

A calender is a heavy steel roller used to crush things flat
Seems appropriate for the grifter

Gregg Wallace: Former MasterChef presenter claims BBC caused him 'distress and harassment'

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 12d

Should have thought of that before dropping his pants!
“If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime”
Gregg Wallace claims BBC caused him 'distress and harassment' www.bbc.com/news/article...

The former MasterChef presenter is seeking up to £10,000 in damages from the BBC, court documents show.

UK Government: Keep your promise to protect workers

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 12d

A new law could give millions of us better rights at work, but corporate lobbyists & politicians are trying to gut it. Tell the Government: protect workers, not profits!
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/uk...

Zero hours contracts, unfair ‘fire and rehire’, waiting months or even years to be able to access benefits – the world of work in our country is weighted against actual workers. It’s billionaire bosse...

you.38degrees.org.uk

3

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 12d

I got an old wheelbarrow off Freecycle for my allotment. It was painted pink.
I thought no-one will steal that as it’s so easy to trace.
Someone did!

@labourlewis.bsky.social
@compassoffice.bsky.social

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 13d

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 13d

This lecture is 30 mins of your life well spent.
A reminder from #CliveLewis that #RobinCook died too young, as did #HildaMurrell and #DavidKelly, all under strange circumstances, all putting ethics to the fore.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB7w...

2025 Robin Cook Memorial Lecture

YouTube video by Compass

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Alex Bird

MONDRAGON @en.mondragon.coop · 16d

MONDRAGON is a project of people for people. We are a world reference, a place where you will have a voice and a vote, you will become a protagonist and you will have a space to grow, contribute and be who you are #MondragonPeople [object Promise]

Police to get broader powers to crack down on repeated protests

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 16d

This faux #Labour policy goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.
They’re #pacifists not #terrorists
“When you’re in a hole, stop digging”. Still good advice from the late Dennis Healey.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

The move is not a ban on protests but "about restrictions and conditions", Shabana Mahmood tells the BBC.

Reversing the Decline of Union Power

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 18d

One of the essential qualifications for the Nobel Peace Prize is to have worked to create peace.
Everyone knows the #OrangeFatBoy hasn’t done that.
He’s a W*****r

4

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 18d

“One-third of public spending is outsourced to private firms and half of the welfare budget goes to in-work benefits — a direct subsidy to employers who pay wages too low to live on.”

tribunemag.co.uk/2025/09/reve...

Neoliberalism and postmodernism have torn apart the social fabric that once held us together. But in rebuilding the strength of labour and the organised society, we can be unified, empowered, and dign...

tribunemag.co.uk

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 19d

Looking forward to speaking at the Catalan Coop roundtable on Nov 13th at the Catalonia Delegation on Fleet Street.
I’ll be joining Rhys Evans, Jacqui Thomassen, Jaume Oller, and 2 other cooperators to share strategies, challenges and opportunities.

cooperativescatalunya.coop/en/confedera...

The Confederation - CoopCat

Organització representativa de les cooperatives de Catalunya

cooperativescatalunya.coop

Manchester police name synagogue attacker as two men confirmed dead

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 19d

The official position is we don’t know the motivation of Jihad Al-Shamie
Could there be a clue in his name?
#Antisemitism is an evil.
The actions of the current #Israeli Government are evil too, but are no excuse for this form of racism.
#Shalom
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx...

He is believed to be Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 19d

So, will the police now be allowed to concentrate on catching real terrorists, or do they still have to chase the pacifist granny supporters of #PalestineAction ?
Time to get real and stop the performative hard man act.

Keir Starmer expresses pride in saltire as he vows UK 'renewal'

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 20d

The vendetta will stop as soon as she hands back the £122 million.
Until then she’ll have to get used to people being rude to her.
#MonyMone

8

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 21d

Northern Ireland is part of the UK, but it’s not in #Britain, which is just this big island of Ingerland, Scotland and Cymru.
If I lived there I’d be really pissed off about not getting renewed.
Forgotten again!
www.bbc.com/news/article...

The prime minister urged people across the UK to wave national flags with pride in a speech to the Labour conference.

Owen Jones kicked out of Labour conference over 'safeguarding' issue

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 22d

#Starmer taking lessons on free speech from J D Vance?
What’s next - white cloaks and pointy hats?
Owen Jones kicked out of Labour conference over 'safeguarding' issue www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

The Jeremy Corbyn supporter accused Labour of "Trumpian behaviour", and said he'd never has his pass revoked before, with the party citing concerns over safeguarding

www.mirror.co.uk

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 22d

Before #Brexshit we had virtually no informal immigration on small boats.
Until we #Rejoin people will continue to seek refuge here rather than remain in the Schengen area.
#Starmer and his acolytes need to (wo)man up and face reality.

Migrants must earn right to live in UK, Mahmood says as she outlines tougher policy - live updates

Alex Bird @coopalex.bsky.social · 22d

Exclusive.
New #Labour policy.
Last Monday in September is officially designated “ be orrible to forrins day”
“That’ll put em off coming here”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...

The home secretary sets out changes to